Fremont’s July 4 guide: fireworks ban, parade closures, drone show

Fremont is heading into the July 4 holiday with a clear message: skip the fireworks and plan ahead if you are driving through downtown. City and police notices say all fireworks are banned in Fremont, including the sale, possession and use of the safe and sane kind that are legal in some nearby cities.

Fremont Police says residents should use the Fremont App to report non-emergency illegal fireworks activity. If you cannot report online, the department says to call dispatch at 510-790-6800, option 3. As always, 911 is for emergencies or crimes in progress.

The biggest traffic impact is the Fremont 4th of July Parade, which runs from 10 a.m. to noon on Friday, July 4. Road closures begin around 6 a.m. and are expected to reopen by 2 p.m. The closure list includes Paseo Padre Parkway between Mowry Avenue and Stevenson Boulevard, Capitol Avenue between State Street and Paseo Padre Parkway, Hastings Street between Capitol Avenue and Mowry Avenue, Walnut Avenue between Liberty Street and Civic Center Drive, Liberty Street between Beacon Avenue and Capitol Avenue, and Stevenson Boulevard between Civic Center Drive and Paseo Padre Parkway. There is also no public parking at the Fremont Main Library lot because it is being used for parade staging.

The city also held its first America 250 drone show at Central Park on July 2. Fremont said the show began around 9 p.m., used more than 350 synchronized drones, and was expected to draw larger crowds, heavier parking demand and temporary lane restrictions near Paseo Padre Parkway. Vehicles parked illegally could be cited and towed.

What to watch

If you are heading downtown, leave early and expect delays. If you are staying home, keep fireworks out of the mix and stick to the city’s official holiday events instead.

Sources

• City of Fremont — Fourth of July holiday guide
• Fremont Police Department — 4th of July Parade road-closure alert
• NBC Bay Area — Illegal fireworks risk context